As a studio exec joked to me Friday, “The Oscar race has been turned on its head”. That’s because Paramount’s Jackass 3D aimed at the youth market not only earned twice the gross of Sony’s Academy Awards-touted Facebook origins film starting its 3rd week Friday, but knocked it out of #1. Producers Johnny Knoxville’s and Spike Jonze’s stupid stunt pic directed by Jeff Tremaine earned a “B+” CinemaScore. Still the headline is that, despite the restriction of an “R” rating, it opened to a whopping Friday for the biggest single day ever in October because of the higher 3D ticket prices. That included $2.5M from midnight shows, also the most ever for October. Plus a healthy Saturday after the “first to see” subsided. Its $50M weekend take was the record for the biggest opening in the month of October (besting Scary Movie 3 which did $48.1M in October 2003 but was only 2D). Guess this shows Hollywood that movies don’t need a script and a plot, right? With a budget of only $20M, the studio would have been more than happy with the $30M weekend it expected from the higher ticket prices from the 2,452 3D-equipped locations. (The first 2D Jackass opened with a $22.8M weekend and the 2D sequel to $29M.) Believe it or not, I’m told the filmmakers debated whether or not shooting a film in 3D would mess up their comedic timing.

Exit polling showed the audience was 60% male, and 67% under age 25. Two of the biggest components of the Jackass 3D marketing campaign were premiering 10 minutes of 3D footage at Comic-Con via a mobile 3D screening room and the public spectacle of letting MTV’s Jersey Shore cast been seen watching and talking about the new film. There’s been relentless promotion by the Viacom sister company which first gave birth to the Jackass TV and movie franchise and even product licensing program (now featuring apparel, sunglasses, skateboards, even a Converse shoe, and hardbound book. As if Jackass fans read.) Last weekend, MTV marked the 10th anniversary of Jackass with 2 TV specials leading up to the film’s release: Jackass: The Beginning and The Making Of Jackass 3D featuring never-before-seen content from the gang: Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Ryan Dynn, Jason “Wee Man” Acuña, Preston Lacy, Dave England, and Ehren McGhehey. MTV also showed the franchise’s humble TV origins back in 2000 before it became a pop culture phenom. (P.S. The Making of Jackass 3D contains a visual of Deadline Hollywood. I couldn’t be more proud)

Recent Comments

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Why do people get so serious about trying to convince people that the Jackass franchise isn't funny?...

Every studio passed on making the stylish PG-13 comedy Red aimed at the adult audience except for Summit Entertainment: now the Robert Schwentke-directed pic features Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Bruce Willis — some of them as past-their-expiration-date assassins. That’s surprisingly strong considering the over-the-hill stars and subject matter. But the pic received an “A-” Cinemascore and 73% definite recommend. Exit polling showed the audience was 53% male, and 58% over age 35. In pre-release screenings, I’m told the film played as a crowd pleaser by mixing the right amount of action with humor based on witty lines and deft timing. It was tracking across all quadrants with the strongest being male moviegoers over age 30. But that cast was the #1 reason people went to see the film based on the cult DC Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner.Even Warner Bros, which owns DC, passed on the pic. (Agism, anyone?) I hear the film’s negative cost is around $58 million after subsidies are realized; but because Summit always licenses its films out to distributors in territories around the globe, the upstart studio’s financial exposure on the budget is only under $20 million.

Most notable among the holdovers is that Disney’s Secretariat after its disappointing debut last weekend had the best second weekend hold (-25.1%) for any wide release in 2010. And Warner Bros’ Life As We Know It also retained. And Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter for Warner Brothers starring Matt Damon in a spiritual film (strangely marketed as an action pic in the ads I saw) had been tracking badly. Now I hear it platformed with $231K for the weekend in six locations in NYC, LA, Toronto with a per screen average cume of $38.4K. It goes wide this coming weekend in 2,200 locations.

Can’t wait to hear how many morons wound up in the hospital or the morgue the next day after seeing this garbage.

Drew • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

No surprise about Jackass. I’m sure the 3D didn’t hurt.

Ethan • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

They should have done The Social Network in 3D, a Facebook with pop ups would have appealed to most of their users.

Tony • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Kids these days with their internets and their non-rotary phones! YOUR CALL THIS MUSIC? GET OFF MY LAWN!

Anonymous • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Finally a movie for pure enjoyment

michael • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

THE REALLY funny thing about this movie …

Is that it IS actually a movie! That’s what everybody is laughing at.

Crap isn’t funny – but the fact that they let this crap exist on a big screen …

Now THAT”S funny!

PS. And the three D actually DID help.
Where else can you see shit like that!?!

Justin • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Why do people get so serious about trying to convince people that the Jackass franchise isn’t funny? It IS funny. I don’t care how lofty an opinion you have of your own taste. Jackass is just plain fun as shit to watch.

Donnacha • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Funny that the Oscars got mentioned – wouldn’t it be funny if Jackass 3D got a (completely justified, I’m told) makeup nomination for the old-age makeup? Hey, if Norbit can slide in…

kl • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Word. It would be awesome/tragic if Jackass 3D got nominated for Best Documentary while some insightful examination of modern poverty or warfare placed 6th in Academy votes. The next time someone wants to make a doc about the financial crisis, it’d better involve a port-a-potty. Seriously, Jackass is great.

bobby the saint • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Damn. Where’s “Conviction” and “Hereafter” ???? … I can’t believe moviegoers ditched those offerings en masse for, um “Jackass”. Guess Johnny Knox and Co. are riding in the genius posse after all, laughing all the way to the bank.

Like I said: Damn! Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank are probably thinking, “um, what the hell just happened? We’re A-listers and this happened to US?”

uh • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

We’ll see how they do, but they’re not in the top 10 because they’ve opened on very few screens to platform.

Matt Clintwood • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Hereafter only opened in NY, LA, and Toronto, so it’s not going to be in the top 10. Conviction was also a limited release.

nwsa • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

What are you talking about? Conviction came out in 11 theaters, Hereafter in 6. You expected those to do these kinds of numbers?…

And I’m positive nobody EVER thinks “We’re A-listers and this happened to US?”

Jose P • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Neither Conviction nor Hereafter got a wide release, they haven’t been ditched by the public- not yet at least. Hereafter opens wide next weekend, this weekend it only opened in 6 locations. Conviction opened at 11 locations, and its wide release date is unknown, I assume it will have a steady roll out.

stops • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Stop spamming the board with your PR nonsense. Conviction and Hereafter are bad movies. Hereafter is a thin soup that was only made because a big writer wrote it, and Eastwood didn’t change anything. It is boring and worse, anti-climactic.

Conviction is a paint-by-numbers drama that is a thin, thin, soup. The writer watched a bunch of movies about how these movies are done, and did it poorly.

Both of these movies will fail.

Jen Lewis • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Conviction is not a bad movie. Not accurate but very well done.

Spacelamb • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Haven’t seen either movie but I love ‘thin soup’ as an metaphor. Certainly sums up a lot of the rubbish I’ve seen.

JF • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I saw Hereafter at a screening last week and thought it was Clint Eastwood’s best film to date. The opening tsunami sequence is nothing short of spectacular. It is an intelligent film superbly acted with an ending that doesn’t need to hit you over the head to be good. It just taps you on the shoulder and reminds you what good film-making can be like.

Trajan Long • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Conviction is excellent. Sam Rockwell is a lock for an Oscar nomination,

Cali • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Sam Rockwell should of been a lock for “Moon”, but he wasn’t. can’t wait to see him in this film.

the black chick... • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

According to the article, Hereafter only opened on a few screens in 3 cities. I’m assuming Conviction did too…

However, after seeing Hereafter, rest assured that film will quickly be resting in peace.

EVERYONE missed the mark on that one.

Donnacha • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

In all fairness, both of those films had limited opening releases and weren’t tracking particularly well.

atomic • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

At the moment Box Office Mojo is showing a near $10,000 per screen average for Hereafter in it’s 6 locations.

I’m not sure how that’s entirely poor at this stage.

Ummm... • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Conviction didn’t get a nationwide release (at least, it’s not playing nationwide yet) and Hereafter’s not out nationwide until next week…

Sandy • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

NEWSFLASH! People want to be entertained for their money. Not lectured to.

Atomic • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

And the fact that they find Jackass’ faeces jokes amusing just shows they are not even picky about what constitutes ‘entertainment’.

People can say they want ‘better movies’ all they want, but the truth is they don’t. They’re talking garbage when they come out with such lines.

They want (literally) the same shit again and again.

NEIL • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I think it is more than that. I believe there is a bit of bravado subtext to the person who watches such a film. “No wimps allowed.”
I wonder how many skate boarders or extreme sport types watch these?
Just an opinion I am throwing out there, having never seen any of these types of films but what I am wondering about here is if movies are not just a cultural pastime, but have also become part of an ever growing and nuanced part of cultural identity. I think Jackass means more to modern machismo than any Swazenager, Bourne or other type of action hero film when viewed this way.

Sethj88 • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I believe you are right. This is a guy film….what are guys going to do after/before they go see this movie? Go drinking, watch college games on Saturday and the NFL on Sunday.

I want better movies. AND Jackass is funny. But it’s not a narrative movie, so I don’t really think you can compare it with films that engage in storytelling.

As for the ‘not lectured to’ comment above — when someone tells a rich story, you fell ‘lectured’? WTF are you talking about?

Jacob • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

It’s possible to want pure entertainment and better movies. For example, as I sat waiting for Jackass 3D to start, and which I thoroughly enjoyed, I saw the trailer for True Grit, which I also expect to enjoy thoroughly. High brow and low brow can co-exist.

Atomic • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Well, you probably have something there.

We all have stuff we like that others would turn away from in a heartbeat and it takes all sorts alongside the more serious stuff as well.

For me, even as a guy Jackass is just not what I would even attempt to call entertainment, or funny – I watched the first flick and vowed never to watch anymore ever again – but if it’s that to others, then to each their own.

arrogance isn't pretty • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I’m not a fan of the JACKASS movies either but, unlike you, I’m not arrogant and elitist enough to declare what other people should and shouldn’t find entertaining or amusing. Not every movie can be for all people and nor should it because anything that tries to be liked by everyone simply becomes disliked because it’s blatant pandering with no soul and no guts. There’s no shortage of movies out there. Pick what you like and quit acting like you’re better than the next guy/gal just because they like something you don’t. Who knows? Maybe that guy/gal you’ve decided is stupid for going to see JACKASS is thinking the same thing about you as you waddle your bony ass into THE SOCIAL NETWORK. You remind of those who slavishly watch foreign films not because you actually enjoy them but simply because you think being known to watch them will make people thing you’re smart. Sorry. Doesn’t work.

aaron • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Here after doesn’t open everywhere until October 22. I hope it does well.

So Jackass features some dumb physical humor – that means people who enjoy it *must* be idiots, right? I don’t expect you to appreciate Jackass, but, Nikki, I do expect you to come up with something more interesting than “Jackass fans can read?”

more than literate • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I have a PHD. I am an “older” woman. And, I fucking love Jackass – for reasons that no advanced degree can explain.

It makes me laugh.

James Smith • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

It appears that, sadly, in your allegedly extensive education you never learned to clean up your potty mouth.

When a person possessing a Ph.D. finds it appropriate to express herself on a public forum using the “f” word I am reminded of the definition of Ph.D. — “piled higher and deeper.” But still useless.

terry • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

enjoying your perch of judgment?

redmenace • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I think you mean Jackass fans can’t read? Her statement was ” As if Jackass fans read” which implies they can’t read.Jackass fans can read is the opposite of what she was saying.

Popularity of ” Jackass” franchise tells you how utterly stupid the young males are in this country!

As a film lover, I am embarrassed this atrocity will make twice as much money as The Social Network.

bep • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

The only jackass here is those people who didn’t get this movie. Jackass is pure entertainment and you can’t get that from the so called Oscars contenders out there

As a moviegoer, I am embarrassed at your so called film lover pretentiousness. Social Network is better how? Oh wait! It has superstar name Timberlake…LMFAO

Drew • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Ummm, I would say that Social Network-which I saw with a group of people close to jackass demo age, who loved it-is enormously entertaining and I think it shows partly due to the evidence by it’s current holdovers. The kind of staying power a film like Jackass won’t have.

The problem is that there are some audiences who have no interest in giving those movies a chance until later in their release and by the time they do they’re surprised by their own enjoyment of them. They just look at them at first glance and think oh I don’t want to see that it looks “boring” and “prententious” simply because there isn’t some bombastic action sequence or gratutious moment of humor for them to be entertained by. The kind of devices that audiences have gotten conditioned to for the last twenty years.

I grew-up with the Jackass franchise, and it’s performance doesn’t surprise me or bother me at all. It’s stupid leave your brain at the door entertainment that unlike some of the best films of the year; The Social Network, Inception, and Toy Story 3, no one will care about or even remember them within minutes after leaving the theater.

bill • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Please don’t put The Social Network with Inception and Toy Story 3 – those films actually appeal to audiences. As far as Jackass. Since it will have the same BO after one week that TSN had after two and it cost half as much to make I think it will come out just fine.

Drew • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Having seen all three films with an audience, I can safley say that they are enormously appealing to moviegoers. Despite the fact that some refuse to give any of them a chance for simplistic reasons explained above. And simply because Jackass has a huge openning doesn’t mean it’s on track to stay ahead of one film that doesn’t have the luxury of a built in audience.

No Encore • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I love when people pretend Jackass is responsible for the hopeless condition of modern cinema. Jackass isn’t the issue, tool; how could it be when we only get the moronic product once every 4 years? The real problem is self-important moronic product like The Blind Side or The Kids Are All Right. You know, suck movies that win Oscars and become the standards we hold other films to. Get realistic, people.

But let’s be honest here: Hollywood needed this after months of down business. And with Paranormal Activity and Saw 3D likely to disappoint, might as well take the positivity while it’s around.

slambam • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Hey No Encore… why call someone a ‘tool’ when movies are like music or tv shows or food or sports…..something for everyone….so what….because you like one thing or another why are they wrong and you’re right.

You’re use of the word ‘moronic’ and ‘tool’ shows you have little room for anyone’s opinion or choices but your own.

redmenace • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

“The real problem is self-important moronic product like The Blind Side or The Kids Are All Right. You know, suck movies that win Oscars and become the standards we hold other films to”

Can you tell me who holds “The Blind Side” and “The Kids Are All Right” in such high regard that they are the standards for modern cinema.Also, with your your unmatchable intellect can you explain to this simpleton what was so moronic about both films.

No Encore • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

@slambam:

You didn’t even read my post. I didn’t call anyone tools for liking those films; I said people are tools for accusing Jackass of killing cinema. And why does someone always have to chime in with parental calls of “Play nice and let ppl have their opinions!!111!”? Go to the 700 Club forums or something.

@redmenace:

Blind Side, despite being one of the most boilerplate white-guilt flicks of all-time (While still managing to be oddly racist), was nominated for Best Picture. If that’s not “the standard” then I don’t know what is.

Kids Are All Right, I chose that one based on the universal critical acclaim. Like Blind Side, it’s loaded with stereotypes and flat characters. It was a chore to sit through its meandering runtime.

Cue people assaulting for any traditional reason.

what? • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

And with Paranormal Activity and Saw 3D likely to disappoint, might as well take the positivity while it’s around.

How do you know what’s “likely to disappoint”, without having even heard any reviews, let alone seen these movies? It’s people like you who don’t even deserve to comment on a site like this.

John • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

As a film lover, I am embarrassed that you can’t lighten up and enjoy things for what they are. The level of commitment of the Jackass crew (including so-called filmmaker Spike Jonze) has to what they do is as high as Eisenberg, Garfield and noted thespian Timberlake. (Ooh, you mean the guy from N Sync? Their music was for morons, so his movie must be for morons, right? Just following your logic here…) To say otherwise is snobbery and bullying. Why not just say, “I don’t approve of it, therefore it should not be allowed to exist!”

Matt C • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I’m ashamed my own demographic eating up this “Jackass” stuff (teenage and young men). I used to like MTV in the mid ‘1990s-early ’00s, but I always hated “Jackass”. Some of the stunts are very, very funny in a dumb physical way but the vast majority of it is too gross and out there for me to laugh.

I do expect “Jackass 3D” to plunge 70-80% next weekend.

Matt C is stupid • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

80% drop, that would be a record. You are an idiot.

JB • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

um, that wouldnt be a record. shows u how much u know. 86% is the record.

SteveD • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Wide release is Gigli at like 81%. So it would be about a tie.

Anonymous • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Word of mouth is going to keep this flick strong for 2 more weeks…watch

kl • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

“Some of the stunts are very, very funny in a dumb physical way…” YES you totally get it! Sorry about your weak stomach, but don’t disparage the rest of us. Also, stuff that’s “out there” can be pretty cool.

Seriously are we supposed to watch “Candid Camera” or “Bloopers!” Lighten up.

matt stacey • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

‘70%-80% drop’? Dude, gimme some of what you’re smoking.

Donnacha • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I assure you, the ladies love Jackass as well.

There’s nothing to be embarrassed about – a new entry in a successful franchise with a popular following did better than a drama with no big stars opening outside awards season (which still opened at the top spot, mind you). It’s just box office, and as a film lover you no doubt appreciate that the gross is no barometer of quality.

Let the crowds have their fun. No-one complained if the Three Stooges pulled in more money than Citizen Kane.

Dave • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Dude you are taking this too seriously. I am also a film lover like yourself and someones it is fun to just sit back and watch a stupid movie. If you never do that you must lead a dull and pointless life. Not all movies are made to be Oscar winners.

Jackass 3D wasn’t that great and the 3D was not really used much but I still found it fun. But it is also nice to see Red is doing better than expect and should be able to make 25 million this weekend. Tonight I’ll be giving my money to Red.

Bruce • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Actually in the end the final grosses for the social network should beat Jackass by the end of its run. On a side note. Jackass has a 60% Fresh rating believe it or not on rottentomatoes. So if your calling all young males who saw the movie stupid then you are calling a large majority of film critics idiots too. Just sayin!

Atomic • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Gotta agree with you on that.

Michael • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Lowbrow humor has been around since early Greek theater, I think you are just an elitist too delusional to realize not everyone wants a cerebral experience everytime they go to the movies, at the end of the day it is entertainment, if it can be used to push political propaganda, good for it too but some people like to escape you pinheads for a few hours.

matt stacey • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

It’s called ‘Entertainment’. If you’re looking for art, hit the museum. And btw, try actually seeing the flick – you might find it funny despite yourself. It’s only a movie and I think you can ‘Dare to be dumb’ every once in a while, Professor.

CharlesGrossman • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I predict that, like almost every year in recent memory, the Oscar documentary committee will ignore the most notable film in its category for 2010: “Jackass 3D”.

Jackass 3D was tired, and not funny. I did like
The original film but watching the new film, I just
felt like the franchise and crew had lost the fierce
Mojo that made Jackass a sensation.
I guess it did not help I watched A Serbian Film
The night before…
Now Milos and those boys sure know how to
Make a sick and disgusting movie….!!!!

Jackadoodle • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Absolutely fascinating – ten years past its prime ‘Jackass’ still pisses people off, even Nikki Finke. Makes me love it even more.

Overbear • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

This is the “revenge of the heartland” over the coastal “elites” who have been overhyping “The Social Network” and “Secretariat” as “film broccoli” these last few weeks. Let’s face it, most of this country, the heartlanders between the educated, big coastal cities are a bunch of uneducated, low income, Glenn Beck-worshiping dumbasses. The success of “Jackass” doesn’t surprise me any more than the first two installments did, but it will almost undoubtedly result in more studio copycats and, thus, less quality movies, as studios continue to shun good scripts and seasoned filmmakers and opt instead for unknowns with video cameras. What else can you expect from Viacom – purveyors of MTV and “Transformers” and, arguably, the most destructive cultural force (other than gangsta rap) in our lifetime.

Jacob • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Did that post make sense to you? Cause it was pretty much gibberish for the rest of us.

santa • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Speak for yourself, here’s the Cliff Notes version of his post for better or worse:

1. Viacom is a destructive cultural force (very bad!).
2. Stereotypical under-educated people between East & West Coasts are very dumb.
3. East & West Coast cultural elite want us to see broccoli-like cinema (may be good for you but tastes bad) like TSN & Sec.
4. Success of Jackass will spawn more sequels and copycat movies.

That was not so hard to figure that out.

A screenwriter • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

The country is filled with idiots? It’s Glenn Beck’s fault? Jesus – I’m surprised you didn’t find a way to work in Bush and Cheney.

My guess is that you’re bitter and angry because Hollywood doesn’t recognize the “brilliance” of your scripts.

… And you haven’t a clue that the success of something like Jackass means not a whit as to whether or not your scripts get made. Any successful working writer (a category that I fit into) realizes that any successful movie is ultimately good for all of us. They pay for the wild cards, and enable studios to take chances like The Social Network. And they get people in the habit of going to movies, and (hopefully) enjoying themselves.

My bet is that the elitist, arrogant, bitter, and vaguely incoherent sentiment in your post creeps into your scripts — which is why they’re not getting made.

It’s too easy to sit there, smug in Santa Monica, calling the rest of the country knuckle-draggers. A braver, and better writer might stop blaming everyone else for his failures, and discover that the real problem lies within yourself, and your material.

Anonymous • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I understand what you are saying, however films provide different strokes for different folks

Next you will rant that women have no taste because they see the twight movies
I like intelligent film making, and see small independent movies primarily, however I have passed on the social network because of the overhyping of this movie, and the overhyping by the critics

I think that a large portion of the film audience wants to be entertained by films, not told what they should like

En

jeez. • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

You won’t go to see TSN because it got a lot of hype? Are you an idiot?

RJ • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Not all young males in the country are stupid, thank you very much. I fall into the “young male” demo and I love Jackass; however, that doesn’t mean I’m stupid. I’m sick of people saying, “oh if you watch Jackass or Jersey Shore, then you’re a moron.” You know what, who cares?! I like to watch pure enjoyment films after a tough day of classes! Back off Nicole!

As an 18 – 34 year old grad student, after I finish writing about Communication and Natural Resource Management today, I want to go see a movie where I don’t have to think…a movie where I can just laugh at people being stupid.

If there was a decent horror picture out, that might serve the same steam-releasing function for me after midterm week.

SMP Belltown • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Out of curiosity, what was the last TV-show based movie, anyway? Was it “The A-Team”, way back in June? (I think so. “Sex and the City 2″ seemed to linger for a long time, but “MacGruber” came and went so fast I’m not sure how it should be sequenced.)

“Jackass 3D” certainly sounds like a better application of 3-D than that Wes Craven movie that just came out, and it will probably add to the emerging concensus that 3-D definitely adds value to some projects – but defitely not to all of them. I think that it will be interesting to see whether the 3-D “Jackass” gets a boost from audience word-of-mouth reports over the next week.

Chris • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

There seems to be this belief (or perhaps wish) that movies, and those that watch them, should be uniformly aesthete in their tastes. The fact that Jackass 3D is kicking ass while more “intelligent” movies pine for viewers should surprise no one. I humbly submit that most of the paying public going to movies do so to be entertained. They want to laugh their asses off and ooh and aww. Of course, some want to be enriched, provoked, and engaged on deeper levels, and that’s OK too, but does anyone really think those folks are going to outnumber the ones looking for a good time on a Friday night? I’ve got three degrees, work in publishing, and am a published author (ergo, I can read) and given the choice of Jackass versus the other offerings I’ll take Jackass and enjoy it for its inane, juvenile pranks, and exuberant vulgarity and have a great time.

College Student • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Your comments don’t really work since ‘Jackass’ wasn’t going up against any of the so-called “intelligent films.” The only other new release it was up against was an action movie based on a comic book so it was a case of one movie for the lowest common denominator beating another. It should’ve been obvious that ‘Jackass’ would beat ‘The Social Network’ (in its third week in wide release) and ‘Hereafter’ (VERY limited release, though I think it’ll bomb next week.)

I don’t mind that movies like this continue to get made because they have a large fanbase and anyone even moderately in touch with the youth demographic already knew this would be huge when it was announced. I just wish the studio would use some of its profits to finance those so-called “intelligent movies.”

Firstly, that studio exec joke? AWFUL. Terrible movies always open during this time of year. Ugh.

Secondly, no, not everyone who sees “Jackass 3D” is an idiot or whatever you want to paint them as. It’s just that maybe they don’t want to see pandering, dull ol’ dramas like “Secretariat” or “Hereafter”, and perhaps they don’t actually care how Facebook was created. Agreed with what Nic said. Plus, it must be said, it has a RT score of 65% so that “roundly rejected” for being too “moronic” is hardly the case. And isn’t this a film that 3D was invented for? James Cameron may scoff…

Reds and Secretariat have particular appeal to the massive Baby Boom generation.

And Rush Limbaugh has been raving about Secretariat this past week — great free advertising to a large audience.

biff • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

I loved Social Network, but I can’t wait to see Jackass… the two have nothing to do with each other… and just to be clear: What the Jackass guys do is a special form of genius… the joy they bring to their work makes it even more fun…

Shut it • on Oct 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Jackass is far from the idiot fare you think it is (because you’ve DEFINITELY never watched the show or seen te films).

As a film lover and an Italian Neo-Realism major in college I’m telling you straight out that Jackass is brilliant, pure fun.